Supporting means for switch boxes and the like



July 20, 1926. 1,592,990 J G. RAQUETTE ET AL SUPPORTING MEANS FOR SWITCHBOXES AND THE LIKE Filed Feb. 21. 1923 Patented July 20, 1926.

UNITED STATES v 1,592,999 EATENT orrics.

JOSEPH G. RAQUETTE AND JOSEPH MORGENSTERN, CF CLEVELAND, OHIO; SAIDMORGENS'IERN ASSIGNOR TO THE SILVER AND MORGENSTERN ELECTRIC COM- PANY,OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

SUPPORTING MEANS FOR SVJ'ITCH BOXES'AND THE LIKE.

Application filed February 21, 1923.

This invention relates to improvements in that class of receptacleswhich are used for housing switches, wall sockets and the like inelectrical wiring installations of build ings; and it has to do moreparticularly with an improved means for supporting and properlypositioning such receptacles.

The primary aim of the invention is to provide, in combinatiomareceptacle of the aforesaid character and a support therefor of suchnature as will greatly facilitate the placement of the receptacle andinsure its being properly positioned within the wall and effect aconsiderable saving of time over prevailing methods of installing suchrecep tacles.

Another object of the invention is to provide, in combination, areceptacle and support having cooperating or interengaging parts bymeans of which the receptacle may be conveniently attached to thesupport in various adjusted positions with respect thereto, the supporthaving means for readily securing it to variably spaced studding orother structural. elements.

A further object is to provide, in a combination of the aforesaidnature, a support which will accommodate one or more receptacles, thusmaking it suitable for an installation involving either a singlereceptacle or what is known as a gang receptacle, the latter being madeup of two or more units.

A still further object is to provide, in a combination of the characterabove set forth, a support which may be applied directly to the studdingor other structural elements and which is so designed and proportionedthat the open front orface of each receptacle supported thereby is inthe ,plane of the outer surface of the wall.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a receptacle ofpractically standard construction modified in a simple and inexpensivemanner to be suited to the purpose in view; and to provide incombination therewith a simple and cheap support which will serve torigidly sustain the receptacle in proper position.

The foregoing objects, with others hereinafter appearing, are attainedin the construction illustrated in the accompanying drawing, and whilewe shall proceed to de scribe the present embodiment in detail, it is tobe understood that we do not limit our- Serial No. 620,465.

selves to the structural features thereof: further than is required bythe terms of the appended claims as interpreted in the light of theprior art.

In the drawing, Fig l is a perspective view of a receptacle and supportconstructed in accordance with our invention; Fig. 2 is a verticalsection through the receptacle and support;-and Fig. 8 shows in plan agang receptacle sustained by the support from studding or otherstructural elements.

The receptacle, generally, is designated A and the support B. Thereceptacle, so far its main elements or constituents are concerned, maybe 01" any approved type and comprises a body portion 1 and side walls 2and 3, the side walls and body portion having interengaging parts l bymeans of which the walls are removably attached to the body portion.This is in accordance with the usual practice. The "front of thereceptacle is open, and ears extend from the trout edges or" the top andbottom of the body port-ion 1 flush with the open front of thereceptacle. These ears have threaded apertures for the reception ofscrews for screwing the usual face plate to the receptacle. The top andbottom of the body portion are joined to the rear wall 8 by diagonalwalls 9 having the customary knock-outs 10 which, when removed, provideopenings for the insertion of the conduits through which the electricalwires are led into the receptacle.

In the present QHlbOClllUGllt, tongues are struck from and are offsetrearwardly with respect to the rear wall 8. and their cepending portionsare substantially parallel to said wall. The spacing of said dependii'igportions from the rear wall. is substantially equal to the thickness ofthe bar from which the support B is formed, so that by engaging thetongues over the bar and pressing the receptacle downwardly until therearwardly directed portions of the tongues rest upon said bar, thereceptacle will be held quite firmly in place. A screw it) is threadedthrough the rear wall 8 between the free ends of tongueslQ and at apoint whereat will come immediately below the support 8. Thus the screwconstitutes a lock for preventing the upward withdrawal of thereceptacle from the bar. However, by retracting the screw until its endlies flush with the outer surface oi? the rear wall 8, the receptaclemay be readily removed from the bar by lifting it the required distanceto'disengage the tongues 12. I

It will he observed that the support 13 is made up or a central oii'setportion 15, in the form of a yoke, and from the opposite ends of whichattaching portions 16 extend.

support of the aforesaid length and providing an-ample number of holesat each end. the support is susceptible to a liheral range of lateraladjustn'ient when used in connection with structural elements orstudding of standard spacing. 20 of the central yoke-like portion 15 0ttl support are spaced apart a distance su'fiicien to accon'imodatebetween them given number portions 1. with a side wall applied to eachend of the assembly. According to the present illustration, the supportwill acconr modate a gang of three units. When a lesser number than thatrequired to fill tl e space between the branchesQO is employed,

The end branches the unit or units may be shifted to any de siredposition along the portion 15 of the support, affording; adjustment inaddition to that previously mentioned wherein the sup-- port itself isslii ted endwise.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim is:

1. In combination, a receptacle of the character set forth, and asupportingbar, the receptacle hating tongues struck :iroui =15 its rearwall and offset rearwardly with respect thereto and substantiallyparallel therewith for lateral engagement over said bar. anda men'iberprojected through th rear wall of the receptacle and arranged tocooperate with the edge'ot the bar opposite that over which said tonguesare disposed thereby to prevent the withdrawal of the receptacle fromthe ba 2. In combination. a supporting bar. and a receptacle of thecharacter set forthharii -ii laterally spaced tongues struck tron! itsre wall and offset rearwardly with r thereto and parallel therewith,said to. k being adapted to be engaged over the suppo'rting'bar. and ascrew threatled thro the rear wall of the box hetween the ends of saidtouches and arraugedto engage the bar and preYen-t the removal oi thereceptacle therefrom.

In testimony whereof, we hereunto :ifiix our signatures.

JOSEPH G. IAQUETE 1 1. JOSEPH MORGENS ERR

